A legendary conductor

One of the greatest names associated with La Scala is Arturo Toscanini. He played the cello there in the 1887 world premiere of Verdi's Otello, with the composer conducting. By 1898 Toscanini was himself principal conductor at La Scala, where he remained until 1908, returning as Music Director from 1921–1929. He took the orchestra to the U.S.A. on a concert tour in 1920-21. It was there that Toscanini made his first recordings.